Key Points

• What is a Security Guard? A security guard is a trained professional who protects property, assets, and people by monitoring, patrolling, and enforcing rules to prevent crime and ensure safety.
• How to become a Security Guard in South Carolina? You must first be hired by a licensed security company. Your employer will then sponsor your registration with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which includes completing a 6-hour training course and passing state and federal background checks.
• Length of training for Security Guard: The state-mandated training is a minimum of 6 hours, which includes 4 hours of classroom instruction and 2 hours of company-specific orientation.
• Average Security Guard salary in South Carolina: The mean annual salary for a security guard in South Carolina is $36,030.
• Licensing Requirement: All security guards must be registered with SLED. This registration, often called a "guard card," is mandatory and must be renewed annually. School security officers have a separate biennial recertification requirement.

What Does a Security Guard Do?

A security guard, or security officer, is a trained professional responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment. Their primary role is to deter, detect, and report incidents such as theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access.

Daily duties often include:

• Patrolling and inspecting property to protect against fire, theft, and other hazards.
• Monitoring surveillance cameras and alarm systems.
• Controlling access for employees, visitors, and vehicles at entry points.
• Responding to emergencies, such as medical issues or safety threats, and coordinating with police or fire departments.
• Writing detailed daily activity logs and incident reports.
• Enforcing property rules and providing assistance to visitors.

Where Do Security Guards Work?

Security guards work in diverse settings, including:

• Corporate Offices and Banks: Monitor access points and ensure staff safety.
• Retail Stores and Shopping Malls: Prevent shoplifting and provide crowd control.
• Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Protect patients, visitors, and medical staff.
• Educational Institutions: Keep campuses safe for students and teachers.
• Government Buildings: Enforce security protocols and screen visitors.
• Airports and Transportation Hubs: Manage screening processes and secure luggage areas.
• Event Venues and Stadiums: Handle crowd control and prevent disruptions during large events.

Requirements to Become a Security Guard in South Carolina

To become a licensed unarmed security guard in South Carolina, you must meet the standards set by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

• Age: Be at least 18 years old (21+ to be an armed guard).
• Education: Have a high school diploma or a GED.
• Employment: You must be hired by a SLED-licensed security company. The company sponsors your registration.
• Background Check: Pass a state and federal criminal background check. You cannot have any felony convictions or convictions for crimes of moral turpitude.
• Drug Test: Pass a drug screening.
• Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident alien.

How to Become a Security Guard in South Carolina: A Step-by-Step Guide

The path to becoming a security guard in South Carolina is regulated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The process is employer-driven, meaning you must be hired before you can be trained and registered.

Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements and Get Hired

Before you can be trained, you must meet SLED's prerequisites and receive a conditional offer of employment from a SLED-licensed security company.

SLED Requirements:

• Age: Be at least 18 years old (21+ to be an armed guard).
• Education: Have a high school diploma or a GED.
• Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident alien.
• Background Check: Pass a state and federal criminal background check. You cannot have any felony convictions or convictions for crimes of moral turpitude.
• Drug Test: Pass a SLED-approved pre-employment drug screening.

To get your first job, search online job boards for "Unarmed Security Officer" in South Carolina. Highlight your reliability and customer service skills on your resume. Once a company hires you, they will sponsor your training and registration.

Step 2: Complete SLED-Mandated Training

Your new employer will enroll you in the state-mandated "Primary Basic" training course. This course is taught by a SLED-certified instructor and requires a minimum of six hours of documented training.

The training is broken down into:

• 4 hours of classroom instruction covering topics like legal authority, report writing, emergency procedures, and patrol techniques.
• 2 hours of company orientation covering company policies and assignment-specific duties.

Step 3: Pass Background Checks and Get SLED Registration

After you complete the training, your employer will submit your application, fingerprints, and proof of training to SLED. SLED requires electronic fingerprint submission for state and federal criminal history checks.

While your application is being processed, you may work for up to 30 days. During this provisional period, you have no arrest authority and cannot carry a firearm. If SLED does not issue your registration within 30 days, you must stop working until it is approved. Upon approval, you will be issued an official SLED Security Officer Registration, which is your license to work.

South Carolina Security Guard Licensing and Renewal

Licensing, officially called registration, is mandatory in South Carolina and is managed by SLED.

• Unarmed Security Officer: This is the standard registration. The initial annual fee is $65.
• Armed Security Officer: To carry a firearm, you must be 21+, hold an unarmed registration, and complete an additional SLED-approved firearms course. The initial annual fee is $110.

All SLED registrations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The renewal application must be submitted 30 to 60 days before your card expires.

As of May 2025, security officers working in school districts have additional requirements, including being at least 21 years old and completing a recertification every two years.